But it is Rosberg, after a hairy exchange with Max Verstappen, a slow first pit stop, and Hamilton backing him into the clutches of the rest of the pack, who has emulated his father Keke - the 1982 title winner - to become the sport's 33rd champion.

Hamilton needed Rosberg to finish outside of the top three to stand any chance of winning the title, and after both of the Mercedes cars made it through turn one without incident, Hamilton's mind soon became occupied on finding a way for the chasing back to get past his rival.

Hamilton was told by his Mercedes team to go faster. On one occasion they asked why he was going so slowly. On another, he was ordered to pick up the pace. Paddy Lowe, Mercedes' technical director, then came on at one point to issue a desperate plea for Hamilton to hurry up, but all of the orders were ignored.

Sebastian Vettel however, failed to find a way around Rosberg as they battled in the closing stages with Max Verstappen one spot further back.

The top four drivers were covered by just 1.6 seconds as they took the chequered flag.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pictures

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pictures

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Jenson Button and Felipe Massa prepare to wave goodbye to F1 ahead of their final races.

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Hamilton led into the first corner as Rosberg held on to second.

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Max Verstappen recovers after spinning at the first corner and dropping to last.

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Hamilton was immediately off the pace as he tried to back the field up to attack Rosberg.

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A smart strategy from Red Bull got both of their cars in front of the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen.

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Hamilton looked comfortable in the lead throughout the race.

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Ricciardo was running up in third before he saw teammate Max Verstappen move ahead of him.

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Hamilton continues to lead the way.

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Button's final race ends in sadness as the front-right suspension failed on his McLaren to force him to retire.

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Hamilton crosses the line to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Rosberg secures the first title of his career.

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Rosberg crowdsurfs on his Mercedes mechanics in celebration.

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Rosberg celebrates his title success as Hamilton applauds his Mercedes teammate.

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Hamilton lost his grip on the F1 world championship.

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Rosberg and Hamilton shake hands on the podium.

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Rosberg performed a series of doughnuts in celebration on the pit straight before leaping out of his Mercedes and kissing the nose of his car. He then picked up Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's 86-year-old chief executive, as he waited in the green room ahead of the podium celebrations.

Speaking from the rostrum, Hamilton said: "I actually feel great. I want to say a big thank you to all of those who came out and supported me. A big congratulations to Nico. His first world championship. Well done, man."

The title rivals then shared a handshake and an embrace before an emotional Rosberg struggled to hold back tears as he spoke.

"That was not the most enjoyable race I have ever had," Rosberg, who revealed his parents would soon be joining him for the celebrations, said. "With those guys coming up at the end, it was not great those last laps.

"I also want to say congrats to Lewis. It is always tough to beat you."

Hamilton, who started from pole, led Rosberg in the opening phase of the race, but the German soon found himself in third after he fell behind Verstappen at the opening round of pit stops.

Hamilton led from the start ahead of Rosberg (Getty)

Verstappen, on a different strategy to his rivals after he spun at the opening turn, was holding Rosberg up. Rosberg was told by his Mercedes team he had to get past Verstappen, and the German did so, on the back straight, on lap 20. It was a perfectly executed move.

When Rosberg enjoyed a trouble-free second pit stop nine laps later, it appeared as though the championship battle was over. But when Hamilton began to slow down in the closing stages, Rosberg was caught initially by Verstappen, and then Vettel, who battled his way past the Red Bull driver, too.

But despite Rosberg and his team's concerns however, he held off both Vettel and Verstappen to finish in second place to win the title.

Elsewhere, Jenson Button's grand prix career ended in bitter disappointment after he was forced to retire.

Jenson Button was forced to retire after a right-front suspension failure (Getty)

Button, competing in what he described as "probably" his final race as he makes way for Stoffel Vandoorne at McLaren next season, lasted only 12 laps before he parked his car.

The 36-year-old Englishman ran heavily over a kerb at the Yas Marina Circuit which damaged his front suspension.